This just in: It’s hot outside. Especially in New York City, where sun meets concrete meets humidity meets my entire body feeling like a wet sponge, and not in a good way. (Is there even a good way?) I recently ran a four-mile race in 80-degree weather—do not recommend. I’m no meteorologist, but after living in a heat-baked city for 17 years, I’ve learned a few things about staying (and looking) cool, and thankfully, none of them involve a portable neck fan.

My secret to being somewhat comfortable when the mercury rises? Surrounding yourself with icy products—that are still stylish, of course. Cold-plunge pools may be all the rage, but I have yet to find one that I’d actually want in my walk-up apartment. So until then, I’ll be relying on these cooling methods.

Photography by Melanie Acevedo

Here are 11 ways I stay chill:

01. Make fun of me all you want, but sitting on a metal chair—I have this iconic chrome one—with the AC blasting is a fast way to chill out. 

02. My July, an actually stylish window AC unit, recently got a glow-up thanks to Xavier Donnelly, who designed a painterly cover that doubles as wall art. Now I live in the clouds.

03. There are fancier ice cream makers on the market, but I’ve had this one for nearly a decade and it’s still the best for summertime sorbets and sherbets. (Always keep the bowl in your freezer!)

04. If there’s a more stylish and hardworking tabletop fan out there, I’m unaware. On my dresser, it’s unobtrusive—and so much chicer than a box version. I also love that it comes with a remote, because I’m not getting up in this heat.

05. Also in my freezer: cool-girl aesthetician Sofie Pavitt’s Nice Ice pods, which are skin-care–packed cubes you run along your face to soothe inflammation (and recover from a non-AC subway ride). 

06. When it’s this steamy out, I just want to be Outdoor Voices founder Tyler Haney, diving into my Austin home’s pool (never mind that I can’t dive). 

07. Cold brew is the only way to go when it’s this warm out, and Explorer makes my favorite concentrate. It doesn’t hurt that the can is bar cart-worthy.

08. W+P’s new stackable and transparent freezer cubes are perfect for storing fruit, my go-to snack on sweltering days. 

09. For years, this has been my go-to ice tray. It doesn’t just hold ice—I can pop the jewel-shaped cubes into the attached container so that I always have a stash when it’s cocktail o’ clock on my brownstone’s stoop.

10. The color of these chambray linen sheets, made from a mix of cotton and linen, reminds me of a pool, so yes, it’s the only bedding I’ll be using in this heat.

11. I’m just going to say it: Most water pitchers with filters are essentially germ containers. And yet, cold, clean water is all I want in the summertime. Enter the Aarke Purifier pitcher, which has zero plastic and instead of filters relies on refillable granules to clean your H2O. Plus it’s dishwasher-safe.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to feel (or look) cool, but there are some places where it can make a difference. Here’s where I’d put my cold, hard cash. 

Splurge on…a Window AC Unit

Less-expensive window units are heavier, louder, and suck up more energy than ones that cost a bit more. (And if you’re spending more on your electric bill, are you really saving?) Plus an AC unit goes with you from apartment to apartment, so it’s an investment that’ll benefit you for years.

• Windmill AC, from $299

• July AC, from $409

• Midea U-Shaped AC, $380

Go Either Way on…Pitchers

Nothing says summer like an icy carafe of water or tea, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a ton on one for your next outdoor party—unless, of course, you want to. 

• IKEA 365+ Pitcher, $10

• Pomelo Casa Medium Pitcher, $165

• Lostine French Saltware Pitcher, $400

Save on…a Pool

You don’t need a permanent in-ground pool to have a chill summer. These inexpensive inflatable versions can double as a beer or soda station at your next party.

• Funboy Inflatable Cabana Pool, $44

• Minidip Colorful Cabana Luxe Inflatable Pool, $55

• Target Bold Stripe Inflatable Pool, $40

I don’t have a pool (or even a backyard), but after spending a week splashing around the Hamptons, I’ve officially decided that my first home needs one. Here’s where I’m drawing inspiration from: 

• Eskayel designer Shanan Campanaro never thought she’d have a personal dipping spot out east, but turns out her pool came with a house—she guesses the former is 70 percent of the home’s footprint.

• Tile is expensive, so these homeowners found creative ways to paint the bottoms of their slices of paradise.

• I spent this week lazing around the saltwater pool at Tourists in the Berkshires, a hotel that proves you don’t have to be beachside to enjoy beach hair.

• Speaking of: Jordan Ferney’s upstate New York home may be surrounded by forest, but her striped umbrellas, chic chaises, and inner tubes make the pool area feel like a tropical hotel.

• Rocky Barnes told me that most of the rooms in her L.A. house, which was modeled after the Amangiri, open up to the palm tree–-lined pool. What a dream! 

• Cookware brand Great Jones is about to debut a Julie-sized inflatable pan-shaped pool float. Now I can really sizzle in the sun.

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